Storm window and screen installation for existing standard window frame structure



3,222,734 INSTALLATION FOR EXISTI Dec. 14, 1965 w. PUNT STORM WINDOW AND SCREEN STANDARD WINDOW FRAME STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1963 E L l FIG. 2

WILLIAM PUNT INVENTOR.

w. PUNT 3,222,734 STORM WINDOW AND SCREEN INSTALLATION FOR EXISTING STANDARD WINDOW FRAME STRUCTURE Dec. 14, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1963 FIG.

WlLLlAM PUNT INVENTOR.

Dec. 14, 1965 w. PUNT 3,222,734

STORM WINDOW AND SCREEN INSTALLATION FOR EXISTING STANDARD WINDOW FRAME STRUCTURE Filed July 10, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 6

WILLIAM P U N T INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,222,734 STORM WINDOW AND SCREEN INSTALLATION FOR EXISTING STANDARD WINDOW FRAME STRUCTURE William Punt, 900 Benjamin SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed July 10, 1963, Ser. No. 294,050 3 Claims. (Cl. 20-55) This invention provides an assembly that can be installed in a standard window frame as a storm window arrangement, with movable inner and outer components that can be adjusted for ventilation and removed for storage or replacement. The installation and adjustment of the window units is performed from the interior of the building, and no equipment is required on the outside. Th re is no tendency whatever to distort the appearance of the building with the obvious added-on devices normally associated with adjustable storm windows.

In summary, the preferred assembly includes two pairs of window units that slide in overlapping relationship, with the units being thin enough so that the complete pair and its guideway fit within the standard sash receptacle of a wooden window frame. With a pair installed in each of the receptacle channels, the result is a double window having both components formed by vertically-adjustable half-windows. The two pairs may be separated by a screen unit, if desired.

The features of the invention will be analyzed in detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 presents a sectional view through a standard window frame structure, with the storm window assembly provided by this invention installed.

FIGURE 2 presents a fragmentary sectional elevation on a vertical plane perpendicular to the window panes, showing the overlapped relationship of the window units and the top and bottom rails associated therewith.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view in section showing the structure at the lower part of the installation shown in FIGURE 1, with the screen removed.

FIGURE 4 shows a fragmentary section of a modified form of the invention on a horizontal plane at the junction of the window units with the guideway structure.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on a vertical plane showing the deflection of the guideway strips for the insertion and removal of the window units.

FIGURE 6 shows a fragmentary perspective view in section showing a latch arrangement for supporting the window in an elevated position, with the latch in the inactive position.

FIGURE 7 is similar to FIGURE 6, but shows the latch in supporting position.

The drawings illustrate the installation of the invention in a standard window-frame structure which includes the exterior board 10 normally on the outside of the building, the vertical board '11 corresponding in width to the thickness of the wall in which the window assembly is mounted, and the interior facing molding 12. This structure is normally present on the opposite vertical sides of the window frame, with the bottom of the window opening being defined by the slanted drain board 13 and the sill pieces 14 and 15. The top of the window frame (not shown) is defined by a horizontal member corre sponding in cross-sectional dimensions to the board 11, and also by members corresponding to the exterior board 10 and the interior finishing molding 12. A molding strip 16 is also normally provided on the opposite sides and across the top of the window opening, with the space between this strip and the exterior board 10 providing the receptacle for the standard overlapped sliding window sash which moves vertically between open and shut positions. The present invention is installed in the space conventionally occupied by the wooden sash units.

The channel-shaped rails 17 and 18 are preferably of wood, and conform in thickness approximately to the thickness of the standard sash. Each of these is provided with a central groove as indicated at 1'9, and this groove receives the flexible retainer strips 20. These strips are preferably of rubber or a similar resilient material, and provide parallel guideways for receiving the window panes. These guideways are indicated at 21 and 22 in FIGURE '1, and the preferred arrangement provides for a relatively narrow opening to the guideways for establishing contact with the glass window panes along a predetermined line, which. facilitates the vertical sliding movement of the window panes between open and closed positions. This arrangement also provides for a greater degree of resilience and accommodative ability of the retainer strips with the glass, and renders the structure much less subject to accumulations of manufacturing and installation tolerance. The edges of the glass panes 23 are received directly in these guideways along the vertical edges.

The top and bottom edges of the glass panes are engaged in rails as best shown in FIGURE 2. With respect to the lower unit, the pane 23 is bounded along its bottom edge by the lower rail 24, and along its top edge by the upper rail 25. Similarly, the upper of the inside units is bounded along its bottom edge by the lower rail 26 and along the top edge by the upper rail 27. Each of these horizontal edges is preferably engaged in the respective grooves in the rails in a forced fit, preferably with a U-shaped marginal gasket as shown at 2831.

The structure providing for the installation and removal of the window units is best shown in FIGURE 5. The channel rails 17 are preferably cut away as shown at 32 at vertically-spaced points on the same side of the window, permitting the resilient retainer strips 20 to be deflected outwardly to allow the window panes and the as sociated top and bottom rails to be moved laterally enough to disengage the opposite edge of the window pane from the guideway of the retainer strip 20. The spacing between these cut-outs corresponds to the vertical distance between the top and bottom rails 25-24 and 27-26. In the modification shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, sufiicient clearance is normally present between the ends 33 of the top and the bottom rails and the outer edge 17a of the channel rail 17 to accommodate this lateral movement. Where the ends of the top and bottom rails approach closely to the channel rail, it may become necessary to cut away some of the outer edge 17a opposite the cut-outs 32. The resilience of the sides of the guideways is also useful in painting operations. A piece of cardboard can he slipped in between the sides of the grooves in the channel rails and the edges of the retainer strips to form a shield which has the effect of limiting the paint to the exposed edges of the channel rails.

In the conventional window sash construction, the inner and outer portions of the receptacle for slidably receiving the sash are separated by a strip such as is indicated in FIGURE 7 at 34. When a screen installation is desired, this strip can be removed to provide space for a frame 35 of a screen extending substantially over the entire window opening. It is preferable that a leaf spring device as shown at 36 be applied to the members 11, which will permit the screen frame to be shifted laterally suflicien-tly to permit engagement and disengagement with the window frame, and yet normally be resiliently placed in a central position. The entire assembly including the inner and outer pairs of window units and the interposed screen frame can be assembled in sequence from the inside of the building.

FIGURES 6 and 7 indicate a latch device for maintaining an elevated position of the window units. The lower rail 24 is cut away as shown at 24a, and a clearance recess is preferably machined out as shown at 37. A latch 38 is pivotally connected to the rail 24 on the pin 39, and a stop pin 40 limits the clockwise rotation of the latch 38 as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. The extension 41 on the latch 38 is capable of engaging the stop 42, which is secured in position within the guideway of the retainer strip 20 by the screw 43. The resilience of the retainer strip will easily accommodate the insertion and rotation of a screw driver in this area. Upward movement of the window will result in counterclockwise rotation of the latch, as viewed in FIGURES 6 and 7; and a downward movement of the window can be blocked by manual movement of the latch through the access cut-out 44 in the cover 45, which is applied to the cut-out area 36 after the latch 38 has been assembled in position. Suitable clearances are machined on the inner face of the cover 45 to accommodate the latch assembly. If desired, the offset 46 of the latch 38 at the extension 41 (to place the extension in position to enter in the guideway of the retainer strip 20) can also be engaged with the end of the rail 24 to provide the stop function of the pin 40.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In combination with a wall structure including a frame having vertical and horizontal members together defining a window opening, a Window assembly, comprismg:

a pair of spaced channel rails normally secured to opposite members of said frame, respectively, said rails each having a central groove on the side thereof facing the other of said channel rails,

at least one of said rails having a pair of spaced discontinuities in said groove providing increased space between the said rails at said discontinuities;

a retainer strip of flexible rubber-like material received in each of said grooves, said strips each providing a pair of guideways disposed in spaced parallel planes, respectively;

a pair of window panes having the opposite edges thereof slidably received in opposite guideways of said retainer strips, respectively; and

top and bottom rails for each of said window panes,

each of said rails having grooves receiving the respective edges of said window panes,

the opposite ends of said top and bottom rails terminating adjacent said retainer strips,

said retainer strips being defiectable into the said groove discontinuities by said top and bottom rails to release said window panes from said guideways.

2. In combination with a wall structure including a frame having vertical and horizontal members together defining a window opening, a window assembly, comprismg:

a pair of spaced channel rails normally secured to opposite members of said frame, respectively, said rails each having a central groove on the side thereof facing the other of said channel rails,

at least one of said rails having a pair of spaced discontinuities in said groove providing increased space between the said rails at said discontinuities;

a retainer strip of flexible rubber-like material received in each of said grooves, said strips each providing a pair of guideways disposed in spaced parallel planes, respectively;

a pair of window panes having the opposite edges thereof slidably received in opposite guideways of said retainer strips, respectively; and

top and bottom rails for each of said window panes,

each of said rails having grooves receiving the respective edges of said window panes,

the opposite ends of said top and bottom rails terminating adjacent said retainer strips and normally partially embracing the same, said retainer strips being deflectable into the said groove discontinuities by said top and bottom rails to release said window panes from said guideways.

3. In combination with a wall structure including a frame having vertical and horizontal members together 25 defining a window opening, a window assembly, comprisa pair of spaced channel rails normally secured to opposite members of said frame, respectively, said rails each having a central groove on the side thereof facing the other of said channel rails,

at least one of said rails having a pair of spaced discontinuities in said groove providing increased space between the said rails at said discontinuities;

a retainer strip of flexible rubber-like material received in each of said grooves, said strips each providing a pair of guideways disposed in spaced parallel planes, respectively;

a pair of window panes having the opposite edges thereof slidably received in opposite guideways of said retainer strips, respectively;

top and bottom rails for each of said window panes,

each of said rails having grooves receiving the respective edges of said window panes,

the opposite ends of said top and bottom rails terminating adjacent said retainer strips and normally partially embracing the same, said retainer strips being defiectable into the said groove discontinuities by said top and bottom rails to release the embracing relationship of said window panes from said guideways,

stop means secured at the inside of at least one of said guideways; and

latch means movably mounted in an end of one of said bottom rails and extending into said guideway for selective engagement with said stop means to support the window pane associated with said bottom rail in an elevated position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A WALL STRUCTURE INCLUDING A FRAME HAVING VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL MEMBERS TOGETHER DEFINING A WINDOW OPENING, A WINDOW ASSEMBLY, COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SPACED CHANNEL RAILS NORMALLY SECURED TO OPPOSITE MEMBERS OF SAID FRAME, RESPECTIVELY, SAID RAILS EACH HAVING A CENTRAL GROOVE ON THE SIDE THEREOF FACING THE OTHER OF SAID CHANNEL RAILS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID RAILS HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED DISCONTINUITIES IN SAID GROOVE PROVIDING INCREASED SPACE BETWEEN THE SAID RAILS AT SAID DISCONTINUITIES; A RETAINER STRIP OF FLEXIBLE RUBBER-LIKE MATERIAL RECEIVED IN EACH OF SAID GROOVES, SAID STRIPS EACH PROVIDING A PAIR OF GUIDEWAYS DISPOSED IN SPACED PARALLEL PLANES, RESPECTIVELY; A PAIR OF WINDOW PANES HAVING THE OPPOSITE EDGES THEREOF SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN OPPOSITE GUIDEWAYS OF SAID RETAINER STRIPS, RESPECTIVELY; AND TOP AND BOTTOM RAILS FOR EACH OF SAID WINDOW PANES, EACH OF SAID RAILS HAVING GROOVES RECEIVING THE RESPECTIVE EDGES OF SAID WINDOW PANES, THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM RAILS TERMINATING ADJACENT SAID RETAINER STRIPS, SAID RETAINER STRIPS BEING DEFLECTABLE INTO THE SAID GROOVE DISCONTINUITIES BY SAID TOP AND BOTTOM RAILS TO RELEASE SAID WINDOW PANES FROM SAID GUIDEWAYS. 